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PROFESSIONALISM JEOPARDY
How to Reap the Benefits of Your Summer Job for the Rest of Your
Career
Eric Fleetham & Wendy TenzerAve Maria School of Law
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Sticky Wickets
The Extended Job Interview
Interpersonal Pitfalls
SpecificPerformance
You are researching your first memo project. You realize that the assigning attorney did not give you some pertinent information (e.g., the jurisdiction). What do you do?
A. Go back and ask the attorney for the information
B. Ask another associateC. Check the fileD. Try to figure it out myself
Sticky Wickets: $100
ANSWER
Sticky Wickets: $100
C. Check the file
Why?
My administrative assistant hasn’t been to law school, but she acts like she knows everything. How do I handle this situation?
A. Explain that you have been to law school so she should do what she was hired to do.
B. Tell her that you appreciate the input, but your way is the right way.
C. Take advantage of the fact that she may have a lot of knowledge based on her experience in being with the firm a lot longer than you, so there may be a valid reason why it is done that way.
Sticky Wickets: $200
ANSWER
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C. Take advantage of the fact that she may have a lot of knowledge based on her experience in being with the firm a lot longer than you, so there may be a valid reason why it is done that way.
You have two supervisors and they both ask you to complete an assignment by the same deadline. What do you do?
A. Tell both supervisors so you can let them know which assignment you will be doing first based on your judgment.
B. Do the assignment of the supervisor who came to you first.
C. Tell both supervisors so they can resolve it and let you know which assignment is a higher priority.
Sticky Wickets: $300
ANSWER
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A. Tell both supervisors so they can resolve it and let you know which assignment is a higher priority.
Why?
Extended Job Interview: $100
Name three reasons why it is important to do your best, even if you have no prospect of future employment with your summer job.
ANSWER
REFERENCESREFERENCESREFERENCES
Extended Job Interview: $100
Do I have to attend firm summer parties?
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ANSWER
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Even if a firm social occasion is not required, it is a good idea to attend.
Why?
True or False: It is acceptable to dress casually if everyone else does, especially on “casual Fridays.” Give an explanation.
Extended Job Interview: $300
ANSWER
False.
Extended Job Interview: $300
Why?
Interpersonal Pitfalls: $100
Is it acceptable to go out for drinks with co-workers and support staff?
It is usually fine to socialize with co-workers, but don’t compromise your professionalism, reveal confidential firm business or too much personal information.
ANSWERInterpersonal Pitfalls: $100
Why do I need to be nice to the people in the copy center?
Interpersonal Pitfalls: $200
Summer associates should treat all firm employees, from the most senior partner to the office-services clerk, with respect and friendliness.
Summer associates can learn something from just about everyone in the firm.
Support staff such as mailroom personnel, copy center employees and administrative assistants can make your daily life a lot easier, not to mention the library staff.
ANSWER
Interpersonal Pitfalls: $200
You walk into the coffee room and two staff members are making disparaging remarks about a fellow co-worker. You happen to agree with what they are saying because this co-worker is lazy and seems to undermine everyone else.
What is the best action for you to take?
Interpersonal Pitfalls: $300
ANSWER
Interpersonal Pitfalls: $300
Although it might be tempting, it is never a good idea to join into a negative conversation about a co-worker.
Why?
When you are asked to come to an attorney’s office, for an assignment, you should always bring _________.
Specific Performance: $100
A pad and a pen to take notes.
ANSWER
Specific Performance: $100
Why?
When someone hands you an assignment, state at least 5 important questions you should ask before the person leaves your office.
Specific Performance: $200
ANSWER
Specific Performance: $200
1. What is the time frame for completion? 2. Form of the work product? Oral report or memo?3. Who is the audience for the work product? Assigning
attorney? Internal team? Client? Court?4. Jurisdiction? Controlling law? 5. Suggested starting point or pertinent resources to review?6. Are there filings in this matter?7. What is the preferred method to handle subsequent questions? 8. Depending on the project’s scope, are status reports
desirable?
Specific Performance: $300
On Wednesday, Supervisor Jenny gives you a research assignment and says, “Give me what you got by Friday.” What will you give her on Friday?
ANSWER
Specific Performance: $300
You should give your supervisor as much of a final product as possible in an easy-to-read, organized and professional format.
For copies of this game, please feel free to email us:
Eric Fleetham: [email protected] Tenzer: [email protected]
1025 Commons Circle ● Naples, FL 34119 ● 239-687-5300
Resources Bloomberg Law Reports, April 12, 2010, Career Development/ Summer
Employment:
◦ Assignments, Social Events, Support Staff and More: Advice for Summer Associates, Comments contributed by Andrea Glover, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal; Liz Davis and Tim Horton, Ungaretti & Harris; and Andrianna H. Dunbar, WilmerHale
◦ Capitalize on Your Summer Position, by Margaret Reuter, New York Law School
Bloomberg Law Reports, April 4, 2011, Career Development/ Summer Employment:
◦ Twenty Tips for Thriving as a Summer Intern, contributed by Courtney Fitzgibbons and Meg Reuter, New York Law School
www.bloomberglaw.com
